Galapagos Cruise (Private Trip)

"It is not the strongest of species that survive...but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin

Galapagos…The mere mention of these islands conjures dreams of adventure, intrigue, and excitement. It’s a place of mystery that millions know about, but only a handful have explored.

Your excursion of the islands begins on a recently refurbished 5 star catamaran. With a limit of sixteen passengers, this state of the art vessel provides an intimate, unforgettable seafaring experience. Cabins built with relaxation in mind also offer spectacular views of the surrounding ocean as far as the eye can see. Have a drink while basking under the sun’s rays on the sundeck or pop into the jacuzzi for a soak and sip on your drink of choice to unwind. The Cormorant is a ship built for a trip of maximum comfort on an adventure of a lifetime.

Catch an early flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island. Upon arrival in Baltra Island airport, you will be picked up and transferred across the Itabaca Channel to visit Santa Cruz Island before boarding The Cormorant. Your time on Santa Cruz includes a short hike so sturdy shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt due to the cooler climate of this area are recommended.

In the Santa Cruz highlands, you will see a unique ecosystem which consists of a humid cloud forest where giant tortoises dwell and birds find sanctuary. This ecosystem contrasts with the dry coastal areas of other islands and the beautiful white sandy beaches that characteristic of the volcanic islands. A delicious box lunch will be served and afterwards, you will visit the town of Puerto Ayora before embarking. Once on board The Cormorant, you will have time to settle into your home for the next week.

In the morning, you will visit the Tintoreras Islet or Sierra Negra. Tintoreras is located a short distance from Puerto Villamil and is home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos
penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully. The Sierra Negra boasts the largest volcanic basaltic caldera in the Galapagos as well. This site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to seven species of finches and a rich display of vegetation. The north side of the caldera provides evidence of its most recent volcanic activity in 2005.

The wetlands of Isabela Island are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. The wetlands consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves, and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and
gallinules. The wetlands can be visited on foot via a path that winds through the swamps. After your adventures in the wetlands, onwards to the Arnaldo Tupiza breeding center which was created to protect animals in their first years of life from the threats of foreign species such as pigs and donkeys. Giant tortoise eggs are collected and brought to the center where they are hatched and kept for five years before being released back into their natural environment.

In the morning, you will visit Moreno Point, located southwest of Elizabeth Bay where there’ll be a dry landing onto what was once flowing lava. The lava has left craters in its wake and have formed crystal tide pools. By looking into the pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools, you may see white-tipped reef sharks and some sea turtles.

The afternoon will take you to Elizabeth Bay, a secluded space lacking any landing sites. You will take a traditional ‘panga’, or dinghy ride, passing the red mangroves and the wildlife of the lively bay. Elizabeth is known for her marine life; you will
probably see sea turtles and rays skimming the surface of the water. You may also see brown pelicans diving for fish, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot some humpback whales.

In the morning, you will head to Mangle Point. Mangle Point allows visitors to witness the amazing views and wildlife on the coast of Fernandina Island. This is a small inlet on Fernandina’s coast where you can snorkel to your heart’s delight and watch playful sea lions, curious penguins and also catch a glimpse of where flightless cormorants reside.

In the afternoon, you will land at Urbina Bay which has some fascinating geological formations. In 1954, an uplift from the sea formed the bay which has been characterized by the resulting terrestrial coral reef ever since. Expect to see stingrays and sea turtles swimming near the surface of the water along with flightless cormorants, pelicans and marine iguanas. You will be dazzled by the breathtaking view of Volcano Alcedo in the backdrop.

No foreign species has ever invaded Fernandina Island and therefore it is one of the world’s most pristine island ecosystems. Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos. Access to this site is extremely restricted by the Galapagos National Park governing body and you will be one of the very few lucky visitors. The volcano “La Cumbre” dominates the land space with lava fields reaching the ocean. Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at
Espinosa Point. After walking by a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you’ll reach the island’s highlight : the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.

In the afternoon, you will visit Isabela Island once again, but to Vicente Roca Point this time. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating mola-mola sunfish.

Egas Port is a well-known site in the Galapagos Islands that is also known as James Bay on the western side of Santiago Island. There are trails that lead to tide pools with lava lizards scattering along the trail and remains of an old salt mine operation that was ultimately unsuccessful. Fur seals and marine birds can be seen nearby and there will be time for snorkeling.

Years ago, Buccaneer Cove was a safe haven where pirates in the 1600s and 1700s would stake out on the northwestern side of Santiago Island. Sea turtles now take the pirates’ place and dig their nests for their eggs near the mangrove trees. It is a great location for snorkeling and many marine birds and sea lions can be found here.

Espumilla Beach is another famous visitor site in the Galapagos Islands. After a wet landing, you’ll find yourself on a large beach where the guide will lead you on a path through a mangrove forest. After weaving through the mangroves, you’ll find an inland lake where flamingos, pintail ducks and stilts reside. The site is mostly inhabited by flamingos that nest and feed in this location.

This morning, you’ll be off to El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, whose steep and rocky path will lead you up 25 meters to a cliff face. After admiring the view, you will have the opportunity to take a 10 – 15 minute trek through palo santo vegetation where you will be dazzled by all the birds. Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves are abundant here.

Your afternoon visit will take you to the beach at Darwin Bay. This white sand coral beach heads a short trail that winds down through mangroves filled with land birds. You may see Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Further down the path, you may see sea lions playing in tidal pools. You will arrive to a cliff-side and have boobies and iguanas as company as you soak in the spectacular views.

Included :

Activities : Genovesa Island – El Barranco & Darwin Bay; Free time

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : The Cormorant

Day 8 : North Seymour Island – Baltra to Quito/Guayaquil

Your last morning in the Galapagos Islands will lead you to North Seymour Island. Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone. After this final visit, you will be transferred to Baltra’s airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland.

8-Day Cruise

$5,000 – Trip cost per child under the age of 12 (Based on double occupancy in standard cabins)

$650 – Upgrade to suite (per person)

Suites are on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 2 suites on the boat which offer more space than standard cabins. Each suite can accommodate 2 people.

I’m a single traveler. Will I be charged a single supplement?

If you wish to be paired up with someone of the same gender on the trip to avoid paying the single supplement, we can arrange this for you. If there is no one with whom to pair you up, you WILL have to pay the single supplement. Pairing with another person of the same gender comes on a first-come, first served-basis. After you reserve your spot, you will receive a questionnaire pertaining to this.

If you would like a single room throughout the tour, you can purchase the “single supplement”. Please email info@globe-drifters.com if interested in purchasing the single supplement.

What is included :

1 night accommodation in Quito or Guayaquil

Activities as indicated on itinerary

All transfers to and from The Cormorant

8-day / 7-night cruise on The Cormorant (all-inclusive)

Bilingual national park guide & local Quito guide

Use of snorkeling equipment and wetsuits

All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners

What is not included :

Optional excursions and activities

Somelunches and dinners

Alcoholic beverages

Gratuities

Round-trip flight: Quito/Guayaquil – Baltra Island

All domestic airport transfers

International flight

Insurance

$20 Transit Control Card

$100 Galapagos National Park fee *Subject to change

Souvenirs

International airport pick-up and drop-off

Cost

Your time in the Galapagos Islands includes an all-inclusive, 8-day cruise among six of the islands. Travel to the Galapagos Islands is quite expensive and each year, only a certain number of passes are made available in an effort to moderate the human impact on and preserve these beautiful islands. The boat for your cruise is a luxury catamaran that has been newly refurbished. Taking into consideration ground transfers, flights and the top notch quality of the boat, the tour is very reasonably priced.

The Cormorant is a smaller-sized boat that can accommodate only 16 passengers maximum and has just 8 cabins. On bigger boats, it can take as long as two hours for all passengers to board and disembark from the boat, which in turn, takes away from the time to explore each amazing island. Another reason that a sea-based tour in the Galapagos is optimal (as opposed to a land-based tour) is that on day trips from a base island to other various islands, it can take three or more hours to arrive at each destination. This leaves only an hour or so to explore before returning to the base island. A cruise is ideal because it allows you to sail to your destination at night and when you wake up in the morning, you will have already arrived at our destination! This means that you can explore less visited islands that have a more bountiful quantity of wildlife and plant life and much less tourists.

To see the layout and specifications of the boat on which you will be sailing, please click on the following link : The Cormorant.

With all of this in mind, the guides and crew on the boat will be there to ensure that you experience the best that the Galapagos Islands have to offer .

While this is one of the more expensive trips you may take, you will not be disappointed in this once in a lifetime experience! You will be spending eight days on a luxury catamaran of exceptional quality. Additionally, all in-country flights, most activities and meals are included. Taking all of this into consideration, you will find that our pricing for this trip is very competitive!

Group Size

Our tour groups typically have a maximum of 12 travelers plus Galapagos field guides as you explore various islands, but keep in mind that the maximum capacity for The Cormorant is 16 passengers so you may be joined by other travelers. Nonetheless, the group will be small which is a good idea for traveling in the Galapagos Islands because based on our experience, large groups are less easily able to integrate into a society and generally have less authentic contact with the locals. The more people in the tour group, the more the group experiences their own “group culture” rather than the one of the country that they are visiting.

A small group number also means that tour group members will receive more personal treatment by the tour guide who can more thoroughly attend to the needs of each person. Small tour groups are also more mobile and can be easily integrated into a social scene. In this way, the traveler is more likely to be treated as an individual rather than a tourist ready to be exploited for his or her money.

Small groups are low-impact because they don’t introduce a large number of foreigners to a local scene where they can have adverse impacts on the local society and other travelers. For example, a large tour group can take up all the seats on a local bus, or fill an entire restaurant forcing locals and other travelers away from their preferences.

Physical Difficulty

This tour is rated 6.5/10 in terms of physical difficulty with 10 being the most difficult. During most of the trip you will be escorted around in a luxury catamaran so you won’t have to exert yourself physically very much while traveling. You may find that some hikes in areas with rougher terrain may be more difficult depending on your level of fitness. You may also find walks on hotter days to be a bit tiring. Other than this, the trip is pretty accessible for everyone. Remember, if you’re not feeling up for a particular activity, you don’t have to do it!

Currency

In Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, all notes are U.S. currency, while U.S. and Ecuadorian coins can be used interchangeably. (The Ecuadorian coins are in the same denominations and sizes as their U.S. counterparts). Do not be surprised to receive U.S. Sacajawea $1 coins as change; they are very common and legal tender. Euros can be changed at a few places, British pounds less so; it’s advisable to have a little bit of U.S. cash on you on arrival. *Please note that traveler’s cheques are not advised and nearly impossible to use anymore.

ATMs are readily available in most towns. They will be part of the Plus or Cirrus systems and use a four-digit PIN. They usually dispense the full amount in $20 bills. Some may dispense some tens and fives.

If possible, bring at least $50 worth of one-dollar bills to use for tips, cabs, and small purchases in markets. Making change is sometimes a hardship for small vendors and cab drivers. A good rule of thumb for using larger bills is not to use a bill larger than 50% of your tab. (i.e. Don’t pay a $6 tab with a $20 bill). Even restaurants can have a hard time making change for a large bill and you may have to wait while an employee runs out to neighboring businesses to scrounge up your change.

If you need to get smaller bills ($5s and $10s) as well as coin change, the Banco Central (Central Bank of the Government of Ecuador) will make change for you free of charge. Bring your passport to prove identification. Hours are typically from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted by many hotels, travel agencies, and larger restaurants. Smaller or budget hotels and other vendors will probably not accept cards, nor will many restaurants off the tourist circuit. Be aware that Discover cards and American Express are not widely accepted.

Be prepared to pay a foreign transaction fee depending on your credit/debit card. Check with your bank before the trip to find out what their foreign transaction fees are. When using any kind of card, we recommend obtaining a receipt.

Souvenirs

There are plenty of souvenirs to be found in Ecuador. Dozens of souvenir shops line the main plazas of larger towns and the Galapagos’ bigger towns. You can spend hours browsing for that perfect souvenir. Local craft markets are found on several of the islands as well. The Galapagos also have local artists and artisans that craft the Islands’ inspiration into one-of-a-kind works. Their creations will make a special gift for your loved ones – or yourself!

Galapagos National Park regulations prohibit the sale of souvenirs made from banned materials like sea shells, coral, lava rock, animal parts and any endemic species, plant or animal, unique to the Galapagos Islands. Please make sure not to buy any souvenirs made from these items.

A good rule of thumb in responsible traveling is to buy locally. Keep in mind the source of the souvenirs. It is obvious that some are not from Galapagos or Ecuador at all, but clearly marked China or some other foreign country.

Communication

If you have a smart phone, it will likely work in Quito, but coverage may be spotty if not absent in the Galapagos Islands. Be sure to check with your provider to get informed about data and call roaming while abroad. You also may consider contacting your service provider to learn about what kind of international plans they offer for calls, texts, and data.

Wifi

In general, hotels and restaurants in just about any tourist area in Ecuador now offer wifi. Internet cafes can also be found. Bear in mind that although it’s available, it’s not always as fast as you may be used to, especially on the islands.

There will be no wifi on the cruise ship so if you don’t have an international plan on your phone, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card for your phone or tablet in Quito for approximately 6 USD. You can add credit so that you will be able to have Internet on your device when you are close to Santa Cruz Island. Access to the Internet may be limited or completely absent when further away from this island.

At the airport, you can purchase a SIM card from either CLARO or MOVISTAR. CLARO usually seems to work best, but sometimes MOVISTAR has better reception while CLARO has none. If traveling with another person, we suggest having your companion get one and you get the other. Again, remember that access to Internet may be limited or completely absent during the cruise. Again, please remember that while in the Galapagos, call reception and Internet access will be severely limited if not completely absent.

What to Bring

November temperatures in Ecuador will vary depending on the region, but are generally are cool/warm during the day and cold at night. November has generally lower temperatures with average daily highs in the mid- to high 60s°F and the possibility of temperatures in the mid- to low 40s°F at night.

November still brings warmer weather to the Galápagos. Highs average in the low- to mid 80s°F and lows in the mid- to high 60s°F. Although there is also a greater chance of rain, this is one of the best months to visit because in November, the Humboldt Current flows to the Galapagos from the south. It carries cold water and cooler weather as well as water rich in nutrients and plankton, which attracts fish and birds. This period is also rather windy, which lends to rougher seas.

The ocean temperature is cooler for swimming and snorkeling, but the boat will have wetsuits for you to borrow. Great wildlife is guaranteed no matter when you visit.

Below are a few things that we suggest bringing to make your trip more comfortable :

A comfortable and securely closable bag is also a good idea if you have a camera or other travel items while out and about on excursions. Finally, it is advisable to avoid flashy, expensive accessories and/or jewelry that are valuable or precious to you while on the mainland.

Please be aware that if there is rain, wind or any other weather conditions that nature decides to throw at us, all activities and excursions will continue as planned unless the weather is deemed unsafe for any reason.

Ecuador’s outlets are like those in North America : two flat, parallel prongs (type A). Be prepared to pack the necessary adapters and converters if you plan on bringing electronic devices. A converter is necessary only if the voltage requirement of what you are plugging in is different from Ecuador’s electrical voltage of 120 (110 is fine). Most modern electronics such as digital cameras, cell phones, computers, and battery chargers are dual voltage, so a converter is no longer necessary if you are visiting from a country that uses 220 or 240v. Check each of your gadgets to ensure that they are dual voltage. This information will sometimes be in raised letters or printed on a tag on the AC adapter or affixed to the device itself; it will say something like “Input : 100-240v”.

Laundry

The hotel in Quito/Guayaquil offers laundry services, if needed.

Safety

As with most travel destinations, it is important to exercise caution and to be aware of your surroundings while traveling in Ecuador. We suggest not wearing expensive jewelry when walking around and keeping an eye on your bag while out and about. Wearing your bag on the front of your body is also advisable. Traveling at all times with one other person or more is also a good idea, especially at night. It is always a good idea to store portions of your cash in different places. (i.e. $100 in your purse, $100 in your suitcase, $100 in your carry-on, etc.) Finally, it’s also a good idea to carry a color copy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.

Most travelers to Ecuador do not have any problems. As long as you remember to keep a watchful eye on your belongings and stay aware of your surroundings, you will have a safe and memorable trip!

The United States State Department offers general travel information about Ecuador. Click on the link below for more information.

Guides

The Galapagos naturalist guide are experts in their field and are excellent resources for questions about all things related to the Galapagos as well as Ecuadorian society, history, and culture. Your guide will work to ensure that each individual has the most rewarding experience possible. Like local friends, our guides show you the best of the country by providing direct access to the people and places less traveled. While on the various islands in the Galapagos, your naturalist guide will show you around and help you learn all about the wildlife on the islands. Most travelers tip the guides anywhere from $10 ~ $15 USD per day, especially if they their guide and thought that he or she helped them have the trip of a lifetime!

Drinking Water

Most will agree that the drinking water in Ecuador is not safe for consumption. Thus, drinking tap water anywhere in Ecuador is not advisable and drinking only bottled water is highly recommended. Bottled water will be provided to you on The Cormorant at no extra cost.

Medical Facilities

Should you fall ill during your trip, there are pharmacies that can be easily located during your stay in Ecuador. If you have specific medical requests, the brand names may be different, but knowing the ingredients’ chemical names is helpful as most pharmacists worldwide will know these names. Be aware that many medicines that are over the counter in the U.S. may only be by prescription in Ecuador. If you have prescriptions, bring them with you in the original bottle with the prescription from your doctor and in your name.

Altitude sickness is also common among travelers to Ecuador, especially Quito. It usually comes in the form of fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and/or nausea. To prevent altitude sickness or lessen its effects, try to ascend to higher levels gradually so that your body can adjust to the change. If you fly into Quito, which has an altitude of around 9,000 feet, you should drink lots of water, get lots of rest and bring some pain relief medicine. If you are prone to severe altitude sickness or have pre-existing medical conditions that might cause the effects to have a stronger hold on you, we highly recommend consulting your physician to get a prescription to help with oxygen perfusion in high altitude locations.

Tipping

Tipping is commonplace in Ecuador, but the amount of the tip tends to be less strict than what most North Americans are used to. We recommend only tipping what is fitting and what you feel the quality of the service merits. For most family-run restaurants, fifty cents to a dollar is plenty unless you feel that the service exceeded your expectations. It is a good idea to keep spare change in a coin purse as this will come in handy in situations where you leave a tip. Below is a basic guide of who and how much to tip :

Bellhops : 0.50 ~ 1 USD per piece of luggage.

Taxi : While not customary, it is acceptable to round up to the next USD. (i.e. If the fare is 4.50 USD, give 5 USD)

Hotel maid : 0.50 ~ 1 USD a day daily or at the end of your stay in cash.

Waiter : 10 ~ 15% of the bill at restaurants unless it is already included.

Tour guide : 10 ~ 15 USD per day or more, especially if you feel that your trip was enhanced by the guide’s services.

Boat crew : 10 ~ 15 USD per day or more, especially if you feel that your trip was enhanced by the crew’s services.

Arrival

In your pre-departure notes you will receive the name of the hotel in both the local language and English as well as pertinent phone numbers.

Visa

Most visitors to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for less than 90 days in each country DO NOT need a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. A round/onward trip ticket is needed to prove the length of your stay.

Nationals of the following countries require a visa to enter Ecuador for any reason and should approach the Consulate of Ecuador in their home country before traveling (list may change without notice) : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia.

Flights

Your arrival and departure city is Guayaquil/Quito. Once you book your flights, please forward your flight information to us. You will be given the hotel name and address in both English and Spanish prior to arrival to show the taxi driver.

*Please do not book any flights until you receive a confirmation from us which will be sent to you 24 hours after paying your deposit.

June to November— At this time, the Humboldt Current flows to the Galapagos from the south. It carries cold water and cooler weather as well as water rich in nutrients and plankton, which attracts fish and birds. It tends to be overcast and cloudy, but does not often rain. This period is also rather windy, which lends to rougher seas.

December to May — While the water and air are warmer in these months, it is the rainy season. Rain comes and goes quickly though. This is also the sunniest time of year. December and January are the high season with lots of tourists.

The waters are warmer in these months, so swimming and snorkeling are more bearable. However, there aren’t as many fish to see. As it is breeding season for land birds, it’s a good time to watch some unusual mating rituals. This is the period in which sea turtles nest on the beach. Sea lions also mate in the rainy season and you’ll be able to see males fight for the females.

Galapagos Islands Cruise : Luxury Catamaran (The Cormorant)

The Cormorant is a beautiful 16 passenger vessel which has been recently remodeled to offer a comfortable seafaring experience around the Galapagos Islands.

Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, cold/hot water, and air conditioning. Additionally, each room has a balcony offering views of the surrounding ocean as well as panoramic ceiling to floor windows.

The Cormorant also has a beautiful dining room where you’ll have your meals together each day. For some R&R, there’s a spacious lounge area, bar and jacuzzi located on the sundeck with panoramic views.

Visit the following link for more information on The Cormorant : CLICK HERE.

*Hotels are subject to change.

Insurance

We recommend that you purchase trip/travel insurance for your trip. We work with Travelex, which offers travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. Otherwise, you are welcome to shop around online for a provider and policy that best suits your needs.

For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, click on the image below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792. Globe Drifters’ reference location number is 09-0984.

Trip Date

Price based on double occupancy in standard cabins. Children’s pricing applies to any child under the age of 12. Please email info@globe-drifters.com if you wish to purchase the single supplement. Suite upgrade available for a supplementary $650.

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ONE REVIEWS

Questions?
How many tours to Galapagos have you been conducting since your company formed?
Will sailing between islands be at night and arriving in the morning?
How rough would the sea be that may cause seasickness while on board? What’s your experience with this situation if and when occurred?